Censorship under Weimar (2)

Question 1

Censorship examples in Articles

Answer 1

• Article 118 = Banned censorship except for areas of film, indecent and obscene literature, and measures at public events to protect the youth.
• Article 48 = Govt could suspend this order to restore public safety and order.
• Film industry regulated by the Film Assessment Headquarters = censor films released in Germany for indecent content/

Question 2

Law for the Protection of Youth from Trash and Filth writings 1926

Answer 2

• Partial censorship of printed materials in the interest of youth welfare - only applied post publications on a case by case basis.
• Incoperated limits to what could be censored and on what grounds: printed materials couldn’t be added to the index of political/social/religious/ethical or worldwide related reasons.
• Aimed to restrict content that would ruin the youth intellectually, morally or physically.

Question 3

Other forms of governmental control: Ebert

Answer 3

Formed the Ebert-Groener Pact:

• Negotiated between unions and employees to guarantee worker rights to limit left-wing extremism.
• Recognised unions and allowed free collective bargaining.
• The 1919 cabinet was formed to appeal to the left (SPD/USPD).
• Often ruled by decree, after the Kapp Putsch, he used Article 48.
• Postponed elections to July 1921 to dissipate extremism.

Question 4

Other forms of governmental control: Stressemen

Answer 4

• Passed policies (Policy of Fulfilment and the Lorcano Treat) to trigger a period of stability economically and internationally.
• Lead to a decline in extremism - used a more pragmatic approach than Ebert.

Question 5

Other forms of governmental control: Hindenburg

Answer 5

• Advocated to use presidential government instead of defending Govt.
• Used Article 48 almost 66 times between 1930-32 to bypass democratic policies

Question 6

Other forms of governmental control: Bruining and after

Answer 6

Bruning:
- Used Article 48 to ban political uniforms - targeted the SA but it failed as they changed colours and the KPD also adopted a similar tactic.
- Persuaded Hidenburg to ban the SA/SS by decree in April 1932.

After Bruning:
- von Papen, von Schleicher and senior generals argued to compromise with the Nazis to ‘tame them’.
- Schleicher argued for a presidential Govt, rooted in popular support w/ Govt leading by the traditional elites + Nazis playing popular support.